Going to the Dark Side

rbpru wrote:
There is no doubt that a TT is more convenient than a PUP, we bought ours so we could travel when I retired.

However, I found that the TT blunts the feeling of "camping". Some may scoff at wet canvas, set up and tear down, meals out under the awning and many other nuances that are lost in a TT, I consider them part of the experience.

But time and age take their toll and having a home, restaurant, and bed you do not have to crawl out of; all in a few feet of stick and tin, certainly has its advantages.

Enjoy you new home.

I still solo canoe sometimes for weeks and sleep on the ground, so I am about 1/2 dark. DW is completely on the dark side..

Congratulations! You'll always treasure the memories, but you will not miss the work involved. We've had hybrids for the past 13 years and aren't even close to wanting a fully enclosed TT, but I can tell you the feeling is the same. On the flip side, the hybrid is way easier and dryer than the pop-ups we had. We don't miss them or tenting in the slightest.

When people tell me what we do is "not camping", I just smile and tell them I have nothing to prove to anyone. I've done all that. Now I just want to relax and have some comforts on my vacations.

rbpru wrote:
PUP vs TT is not a which is better situation, it is which fits the present needs.

Exactly!

Congrats on moving up from a PUP! I hope to do the same next summer, would have sooner but the money hasn't been in place to pull the trigger.

The main problem I have with the pop-up life is the amount of time and effort it takes to pack for a trip. Even with having several large plastic bins to store things in it's gotten to the point where I just about have to spend a full day packing, even for a two night trip. Having to load all of our **** into the vehicle then out of the vehicle, back in, then having to put everything back away at home is starting to take the fun out of camping. Not to mention the setup and tear down hassle and dealing with rain. Oh and lack of a bathroom.

With a travel trailer I expect to keep it stocked and ready to go at a moment's notice, year round. I absolutely can't wait to go to the dark side.

We used to pop up when we were young and the childeren were small. It was fun and we enjoyed it. Now we love our 24ft TT. Welcome to the world of TT camping. You will enjoy it. I pray you have fun and safe adventures.

PUP vs TT is not a which is better situation, it is which fits the present needs.

My favorite camping involves a canoe and tent, experiences you will never get, even with the grandest RV.

But alas time, knees and back surgery have put a dent into those days. I still have my PUP because, as my DW says "it will hold all the grandkids" and I still go to events where you cannot maneuver a TT.

There is no doubt when the snows blow and we leave IN for a few weeks in AZ the merits of the TT will shine. But still, exposure to the elements is an enjoyment you cannot explain, you just have to understand.

Congrats on your new TT! I hope you enjoy it!! We survived exactly 3 trips in our PUP years ago before trading it in on a larger TT. It was always raining when either setting up or taking down - or both... Wet canvas is a PITA.

Now that the kids are grown, we have a small TT we use when visiting our son four hours away, which we keep there, and we have our Aliner Ranger 15 for camping in - love the ease of set up (walls can be set up in 1 minute - really!), the ability to tow with a smaller vehicle, and better gas mileage, due to its low towing profile.

Good stuff. My wife and I call them Tentites as we sit in our dining booth sipping coffee eating cream cheese lathered bagels. Like they are some lower form of life to be avoided. Neanderthals not quite evolved. All in fun though. that's not how we really feel. We were tentites until the beginning of this year.

Also, we do make a distinction between real tents and popup trailers. They are somewhere between. Ready to sprout out of their cacoon.

I kid of course. There are a couple places we go during a particular time of the year every year. I remember living in our tent and walking to the bathrooms. Passing by the big bad RVs on the way there. Sometimes see them in the dining booth. Sipping their coffee. Smelling eggs and bacon cooking. I'd tell my wife. "Look at them. Sipping their coffee. Making fun of us as we're walking to the vaulted toilet." Now when we go to those same places, it's a whole different experience. Much more enjoyable.

On the real side, I do miss my tent a little bit. I gave it away. Wish I hadn't now. Like Anmacc2, I yearn for my tentite days sometimes. Would be more convenient for a 1 day excursion or to take where the TT wouldn't go.

Congrats on your purchase. Wish you many more years of enjoyment.

DW and I are seriously considering adding a pop up. We love out TT for longer trips but we're thinking a pop-up for short weekend jaunts. Light easy tow, better gas mileage.... Don't want to hijack the thread, just thinking out loud.

hissing, crackling breathing...nineoaks2004....I am your trailer...hissing, crackling breathing

You wend darkside when you gave up sleeping on the ground in a tent. Your training is now complete...enjoy.

If you are really worried about losing the edge, throw a tent in one of the storage compartments and you can always get that same feeling whenever you want.

Just don't cackle like the emperor loud enough to be heard as you sit warm and cozy drinking your coffee while you watch the poor schmucks pack up thier popup in the rain. It's considered bad form.

There is no doubt that a TT is more convenient than a PUP, we bought ours so we could travel when I retired.

However, I found that the TT blunts the feeling of "camping". Some may scoff at wet canvas, set up and tear down, meals out under the awning and many other nuances that are lost in a TT, I consider them part of the experience.

But time and age take their toll and having a home, restaurant, and bed you do not have to crawl out of; all in a few feet of stick and tin, certainly has its advantages.

Enjoy you new home.